• Read labels and do exactly what they say.

• Store products marked, “Danger,” “Warning” and “Caution” out of reach of children and pets and in their original labeled containers.

• Follow disposal instructions to prevent hazardous pollution.

• Choose the least hazardous product for the job.

• Make your own non-hazardous household cleaners.

• Understand hazardous chemicals

• Recycle electronics

• Recycle fluorescent tubes and bulbs

• Recycle motor oil

• Choose rechargeable batteries

• Recycle batteries

Medical sharps, such as needles, syringes and lancets pose an injury risk for anyone who comes into contact with these items. Large numbers of sharps are used at home, work and on the road. According to the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal, about nine million syringe users nationwide annually administer at least three billion injections outside of health care facilities.  For more information on sharps click here.

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Waste pharmaceuticals include a wide variety of items such as over-the-counter and prescription medications, controlled substances and sharps. These wastes come in the form of solid pills and capsules, creams, liquids and aerosols.  These items should not be flushed down the toilet or put down the drain.  For more information from the DNR on waste pharmaceuticals click here.  

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Call your local solid waste and recycling authority when you don’t know how to handle certain items.